Reports & Opinions 

Ethnic cleansing of Kirkuk must stop! 
Dr.N.Hawramany. May 7, 2002

Kurdistan Observer
May 15, 2002

As the dispute intensifies over America’s clearly stated intentions of overthrowing the Iraqi regime, with Iraqi Kurdistan anticipated to be the battleground, the Iraqi regime continues building military bases on the southern border of the no-fly zone, dangerously close to Kurdish towns. 

More than ever it is crucial that the Kurdish leaders be cautious and vigilant about participating in any action. The trusting nature of the Kurds has exposed them to repeated betrayals by Britain, USA and the Soviet Union, from as early as the 1920s, and throughout the 30s and 40s, culminating in the USA’s betrayal of the Kurds in 1975, when the US suddenly withdrew their clandestine support for the Kurdish revolution headed by the historical Leader Mustafa Barzani against the Iraqi government. What followed were sixteen years of genocide, the worst Kurds have every experienced. Yet in 1991, when the Kurds rose up against Saddam Hussein, yet again they were left to be slaughtered. Consequently Kurds have every right to be sceptical of promises being made now and in the future. 

What kind of reward should the Kurds expect from the USA and Iraqi opposition groups for their role in toppling Saddam Hussein? What guarantees would there be for the protection, political recognition and economic sustainability of Iraqi Kurdistan, and what promises should be made for a Kurdish role in a future democratic government of Iraq? What would Turkey’s reaction be to a significant Kurdish role in the new government, given their own repression of basic rights to nearly 30 million Kurds in Turkey, and their apparent concern for the Turkoman minority in Iraqi Kurdistan? What would be the reactions of neighbouring Iran and Syria, both having their own issues to face with their sizeable Kurdish populations? Would Iraqi Kurds be better off going to war for the USA or compelling the present central government to positively respond to their demands? 

In fact these and many other question are required to be answered before any action can be taken by the Kurdish authorities against Saddam Hussein. With both oil and water resources at stake, and the alliance of Western powers with Turkey, no one can doubt that Kurds live in a most dangerous and volatile part of the world. Whichever path they choose their future remains uncertain. 

It might take some time before the US is prepared to take action against the Iraqi regime. US analysts are predicting early 2003. In the intervening period, the Kurdish parties have a responsibility to consider any plan that will prevent another crisis in the Kurdish region. 

It was encouraging for all Kurds that the Kurdish leader, Masoud Barzani, raised these issues and others, in his significant speech to the Kurdish parliament in the capital city of Iraqi Kurdistan “Hawler”, in early April while acknowledging the Kurds’ legitimate right to call for independence in any part of Kurdistan, he advised caution in the current climate. 

This caution is criticised by many, yet writing articles and holding slogans proposing every Kurd’s dream of independence is not going to serve the Kurdish cause right now, for it will attract more devils than angels. The opponents of Kurds are waiting for the Kurdish leaders to propose an independent nation-state, at least covering Iraqi Kurdistan, for this will be their excuse to interfere, and destroy the first democratic experiment, not just in Iraq, but in the whole Middle East (including Israel). 

Sooner or later the time will come to call for independence, but the time will be determined by everyone in the greater Kurdistan cooperating.  Until then, the Kurdish experiment in Iraqi Kurdistan needs unity within, and support. 
 

Sardar Akrei 
Sydney – Australia 

Email: akrei@bigpond.com